The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

Book Review Aug 03, 2024

My review

3/5 stars

I came across this book as part of Amazon's First Reads program and decided to give it a go. A short story that is part of a bigger series about two sisters.

It was hard to feel connected fully to any of the characters, given that I hadn't experienced any of the build up in the first book of the series, but the author did a good job of providing the necessary information in a very succinct way. The sisters appeared to have a good bond in spite of their differences, and everyone seemed to really care for each other. The romance element of the story really suffered for me when it came to the speed at which everything was handled, but I think it always would have come in secondary to the sisters' relationship anyway so it's not the end of the world.

The story-telling was sweet and warming, especially given that all of the cakes and treats had beautiful names to encapsulate when they should be eaten. Overall, it was a cosy tone and gave a sense of calm despite it's somewhat tumultuous content.

Speaking of, I personally found the plot quite triggering, and while this is entirely a me problem and nothing to do with how the author has written the story, it did ultimately detract my ability to properly enjoy the story.

Book blurb

Isabel, the long-lost Gibson sister, is finally back home on Brinkley’s Island, Maine. With Sophie and Violet, her sister and her niece, she’s got the family bookstore—and with Johnny Lenox, she’s got something even more special.

But even as life settles, not everything is falling into place. Isabel and Johnny have set the date three times, baked three wedding cakes, invited the whole island to three parties, only to have each attempt at matrimony fall apart at the last minute. Disasters seem to be conspiring against their happy ending, and Isabel is starting to wonder if their love is meant to be.

When family history comes back to haunt the Gibson sisters, Isabel knows that if she wants to make it down the aisle with Johnny, first she and Sophie will have to face the pain of their past and their present, and decide what it means for their future.